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MSC Cargo Ship Hosts U.S. Ambassador to Estonia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070620-17
Release Date: 6/20/2007 3:51:00 PM

By Gillian Brigham, Military Sealift Command Public Affairs

TALLIN, Estonia (NNS) -- The noncombatant Military Sealift Command ship USNS LCPL Roy M. Wheat (T-AK 3016) welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Stanley Davis Phillips and the Estonian Chief of Defense Estonia Army Col. N. Vali aboard the ship for a tour in Tallinn on June 19.

Wheat arrived in Estonia on June 15, nearly a year after the cargo ship first visited the country in 2006.

“The crew really enjoyed the hospitality of the Estonians and very much looked forward to coming back this year,” said the ship’s civilian master, Capt. Peter Grealy.

Wheat frequently travels to commercial ports like Tallinn because it is forward deployed to Europe as a member of the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Pre-positioning Ship (MPS) Squadron 1. The ships of MPS Squadron 1 strategically stage U.S. military cargo at sea in the European theater. In the event of a military or humanitarian crisis, the mission of this squadron is to deliver its cargo to forces ashore, ensuring a fast U.S. response to contingency situations.

The squadron also plays an important role supporting NATO military exercises in the region and bolstering U.S. ties with its allies in Europe. Wheat recently participated in Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2007.

“Playing a part in BALTOPS '07 provides a unique opportunity for NATO combatants to develop familiarity with our merchant marine capabilities,” said Capt. Clayton Saunders, commander of MPS Squadron 1.

MPS Squadron 1 is commanded by a U.S. Navy captain and a small contingent of military personnel embarked aboard one of the squadron’s ships. U.S. merchant mariners, however, operate the individual ships of the squadron.

Wheat was named after Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Roy M. Wheat who died in combat August 11, 1967, during the Vietnam War, throwing himself on an exploding mine to save the lives of his fellow Marines.

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command has three maritime prepositioning squadrons stationed around the globe. MPS Squadron 2 operates in the Indian Ocean. MPS Squadron 3 operates in the Pacific Ocean. Military Sealift Command operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, chart ocean bottoms, conduct undersea surveillance, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.